They made an informal dispute and they said to each other...

They made an informal dispute and they said to each other: “You do not perform the ritual ablution well!” Then they calmly turned to the old man and appointed him as an arbitrator between them. They said to him: “O Sheikh [^1] Mandir, Psychology in Life. (i.e., an old man), each of us will perform the ritual ablution before you, and you decide which of the two ablutions is better.” They performed the ablution before him, and he carefully considered it.

Accordingly, the old man paid attention to his mistake without any disdain, and then he said to them: “My masters, you both perform the ritual ablution well. However, I am an ignorant old man. I do not perform the ablution well. I have learned it from you and repented at your hands!”[^1] This deed clearly shows us that the Prophet (a.s) guided the people through sound ways and noble moral traits.

This way impressed al-Hasan (a.s) during his childhood, to the extent that it became among his qualities and natures. Some psychologists believe that individual manner is inherited, that it has an important effect on forming man’s ethics, and that it is not less in importance than imitation. Heksil says: “All effects and qualities of the organic being belong to heredity or to environment. Hereditary formation determines the bounds of that which is possible.

And the environment decides that this possibility will be achieved. Therefore, the hereditary formation is mere the ability to react with any environment through a special way.” Jinjiz has confirmed this theory, saying: “Everyone has hidden hereditary forces, but the appearance of each of them depends on the circumstances surrounding these forces during their growth.” The rule of heredity decides that Imam al-Hasan (a.s) was on top of those who got this phenomenon.

He inherited the spiritual forces and the great, reformative wealth of his grandfather (a.s). Besides, the righteous environment his family and the good, righteous Muslims created had an influence on him. Due to his heredity, Imam al-Hasan (a.s) got cleverness and high reflection that none had got. The narrators have reported traditions on his early genius, saying: “Al-Hasan memorized all things he read. He attended the meetings of his grandfather (a.s) and memorized the Revelation.

Then he went to his mother and told her about it.